Surface-cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A device for cleaning a surface (e.g., a barbeque grill, etc.) generally includes an enclosure having at least a lower side, an upper side, and a peripheral edge. The device includes a plurality of motors each having a rotational shaft selectively fixable with a rotatable brush. At least a portion of bristles of each brush projects below a plane of the lower side of the enclosure. The device also includes a circuit adapted for connecting power from a power source to each of the motors for a preset period of time upon actuation of an electrical switch connected thereto. The circuit is adapted to run each motor in a first direction and then an opposing direction, such that if the device becomes stuck at an obstruction, it will eventually turns around due to the alternating directions of the motors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/671,125 filed Nov. 7, 2012 (published as US 2013/0061408 on Mar. 14,2013, to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 9,161,612 on Oct. 20, 2015), whichclaimed the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/565,268, filed Nov. 20, 2011. The entire disclosures of each ofthe above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cleaning machines, and more particularly to asurface cleaning machine particularly well-suited for cleaning barbequegrills.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Automated cleaning machines have become popular for cleaning surfacessuch as carpeted and hard wood floors. However, none of the prior artdevices is well suited for automatically cleaning a barbeque grill,which can be an arduous task particularly if the grill is allowed tocool. Perhaps the best time to clean a grill is immediately aftercooking when food and gristle is still warm and easier to remove. Yetthat is also the best time to eat the food that has just been cooked.Such prior art floor cleaning machines further do not provide for one ormore cleaning elements to simultaneously serve as the cleaning andmotive force for the device.

Therefore, there is a need for a device that automatically cleans abarbeque grill or other surface for a preset period of time, and thatcan withstand the heat generated by a barbeque that has just been used.Such a needed device would be easy to use, relatively inexpensive tomanufacture, and would allow for easily replacing detachable cleaningbrushes and contact pads as necessary. Such a needed invention would beeasy to store when not in use, and would provide a means for notbecoming stuck when encountering the edge of the grill or otherobstruction. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for cleaning a surface, such as abarbeque grill. A substantially hollow enclosure has at least a lowerside, an upper side, and a peripheral edge. The enclosure contains aplurality of motors each having a rotational shaft selectively fixablewith a rotatable brush. Each brush has a plurality of bristles radiallyprojecting from a rotational axis thereof, and at least a portion of thebristles of each brush project below the plane of the lower side of theenclosure. The lower side of the enclosure may further include a recessfor each brush.

Preferably the rotational axis of each brush and the rotational shaft ofeach motor are substantially parallel to the plane of the lower side ofthe enclosure. Further, preferably the plurality of motors with brushesis an odd number, such as three each at relative angles of 60 degrees,whereby each brush is capable of moving the enclosure in a directiondifferent from any of the other brushes.

The enclosure further contains a power source, such as a pluralitybatteries. The enclosure further contains a circuit adapted forconnecting power from the power source to each of the motors for apreset period of time upon actuation of an electrical switch connectedthereto that is accessible from outside of the enclosure. The circuit isadapted to run each motor in a first direction and then an opposingdirection, such as by switching the polarity of the power applied toeach motor, preferably every one to two seconds, for example.

Preferably the circuit further includes an indicator, such as one ormore LED lamps, for indicating one of a plurality of program times. Assuch, with multiple actuations of the switch, each program time isadvanced in sequence, the indicator indicating the currently-electedprogram time and the circuit running the motors back and forth for thecurrently-selected program time.

In use, with the enclosure placed upon the surface and with the switchactuated, the circuit runs each motor in the first direction and thenalternately in the opposing direction, such that the brushessimultaneously support and move the device along the surface and cleanthe surface. The enclosure, if becoming stuck at an obstruction,eventually turns around due to the alternating directions of the motors.In one exemplary embodiment, pressing the switch to select a programtime results in the indicator indicating the selected program time forfive seconds, after which time the control circuit actuates the motorsfor the programmed time, alternating the direction of each motorindependently of the other motors. At any time, holding down the switchfor more than three seconds, for example, directs the circuit to go intoa sleep mode wherein the indicator and the motors are deactivated untilthe next press of the switch. A rack may be included for providingconvenient storage for the device when not in use.

The present invention is a device that automatically cleans a barbequegrill or other surface for a preset period of time, and that canwithstand the heat generated by a barbeque that has just been used. Thepresent device is easy to use, relatively inexpensive to manufacture,and allows for easily replacing detachable cleaning brushes and contactpads as necessary. The present invention is easy to store when not inuse, and provides a means for not becoming stuck when encountering theedge of the grill or other obstruction during use. Other features andadvantages of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing more detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrated with anenclosure omitted for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the invention, partiallycut-away;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the invention, illustrated with two ofthree contact pads omitted for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a rack for storing the enclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rack, illustrated as supporting theenclosure;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a circuit of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the steps of a microcontrollerof the circuit; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. Thefollowing explanation provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. Oneskilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practicedwithout such details. In other instances, well-known structures andfunctions have not been shown or described in detail to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or pluralnumber also include the plural or singular number respectively.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Whenthe claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or moreitems, that word covers all of the following interpretations of theword: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and anycombination of the items in the list.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a device 10 for cleaning a surface 20, such asthe top surface 26 and side surfaces 27 of a plurality of barbeque grillrods 25. Other surfaces 20 may include all types of hard floors, forexample, such as wood, tile, laminate, concrete, or the like.

A substantially hollow enclosure 30 has at least a lower side 32, anupper side 38, and a peripheral edge 35. The enclosure 30 is preferablymade from a high heat-resistant plastic material, such as ahigh-temperature polyurethane (for example, TC-895 A/B Black produced byBJB Enterprises, Inc., of Tustin, Calif.). An insulator 130 (FIG. 3) mayadditionally be included proximate the lower side 32 of the enclosure 30to insulate the interior of the enclosure 30 from heat emanating fromthe surface 20. The peripheral edge 35 may be rigid and reinforced withribs (not shown) or other reinforcement structures to absorb kineticenergy of the device 10 upon contacting an obstruction 28 (FIG. 1).Further, the enclosure may include at least one handle 180 (FIGS. 1 and10) for allowing convenient and clean lifting of the device 10 from thesurface 20.

The enclosure 30 contains a plurality of motors 40 each having arotational shaft 50 selectively fixable with a rotatable brush 60. Eachbrush 60 has a plurality of bristles radially projecting from arotational axis 80 thereof, and at least a portion of the bristles 70 ofeach brush 60 project below a plane 33 (FIG. 10) of the lower side ofthe enclosure 30. The lower side 32 of the enclosure 30 may furtherinclude a recess 90 for each brush 60 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Preferably thebristles 70 of each brush are made of brass, whereby the bristles 70 aresuitable for use on a barbeque grill surface 20. Alternately, thebrushes may be made of some other material, such as a softer material,for use on a softer surface 20 without scratching thereof, for example.

Preferably the rotational axis 80 of each brush 60 and the rotationalshaft 50 of each motor 40 are substantially parallel to the plane of thelower side 32 of the enclosure 30. Further, preferably the plurality ofmotors 40 with brushes 60 is an odd number, such as three each atrelative angles a of preferably 60 degrees (FIG. 7), whereby each brush60 is capable of moving the enclosure 30 in a direction different fromany of the other brushes 60.

The enclosure 30 further contains a power source 100, such as aplurality of either rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries 105, suchas D-cell type batteries for example. In an embodiment where eachbattery 105 is a rechargeable battery, a recharging port 200 (FIG. 1)may be included that is electrically connected with each battery 105such that an external power source 201 may be selectively fixed with therecharging port 200 to recharge each battery 105. Alternately, the powersource 100 may be a power cord (not shown) that may be plugged into apower outlet, for example, for powering the motors 40 directly.

The enclosure 30 further contains a circuit 1 10 adapted for connectingpower from the power source 100 to each of the motors 40 for a presetperiod of time T_(n)upon actuation of an electrical switch 120 connectedthereto. The circuit 110 is adapted to run each motor 40 in a firstdirection Di and then an opposing direction D₂ (FIG. 3), such as byswitching the polarity of the power applied to each motor 40, preferablyevery one to two seconds, for example.

Preferably the circuit 110 further includes an indicator 140, such asone or more LED lamps, or the like, for indicating one of a plurality ofprogram times P_(n). As such, with multiple actuations of the switch120, each program time Pi, P₂, . . . P_(n)is advanced in sequence, theindicator 140 indicating-such as by flashing a corresponding number oftimes or illuminating in a particular color such as red, green, oryellow—the currently-selected program time P_(n)and the circuit 110running the motors 140 back and forth for the currently-selected programtime P_(n). In such an embodiment the circuit 110 further includes atimer function 114. For example, in an embodiment having three programtimes P_(n), Pi may be five minutes, P2 seven minutes, and P3 tenminutes.

In use, with the enclosure 30 placed upon the surface 20 and with theswitch 120 actuated, the circuit 110 runs each motor 40 in the firstdirection Di and then alternately in the opposing direction D₂, suchthat the brushes 60 simultaneously support and move the device 10 alongthe surface 20 and clean the surface 20. The enclosure 30, if becomingstuck at an obstruction 28, eventually turns around due to thealternating directions Di,D2 of the motors 40. In one exemplaryembodiment, pressing the switch 120 to select a program time P_(n)results in the indicator 140 indicating the selected program time P_(n)for five seconds, after which time the control circuit 1 10 actuates themotors 40 as specified above for the programmed time P_(n). At any time,holding down the switch 120 for more than three seconds, for example,directs the circuit 110 to go into a sleep mode wherein the indicator140 and the motors 40 are deactivated until the next press of the switch120.

In one embodiment the circuit 110 is adapted to change the direction ofany of the plurality of motors 40 independently of the directions of theother motors 40.

Moreover, the circuit 110 may further include a random number generator115, such that the direction of any of the plurality of motors 40 may betoggled in a substantially random manner, or in what appears to be arandom manner but is rather a predetermined repeating program thatsimulates a random program. As such, the enclosure 30, if becoming stuckat an obstruction 28, eventually turns around due to the seeminglyrandom directions Di,D2 of the motors 40 and resulting seemingly randompath of the enclosure 30 on the surface 20.

The circuit 110 may further include a microcontroller 111 (FIG. 8) tocontrol an H-bridge arrangement 112, solid state relays, or mechanicalrelays (all not shown) that provide power to the motors 40. Themicrocontroller 111 may further be used to detect activation of theswitch 120, and to illuminate the indicator 140. The circuit 110 mayfurther include a voltage translator or transformer 113, and optionallya voltage regulator 116, for providing differing voltages to the controlcircuit 1 10 and to the motors 40, as necessary.

In one embodiment, the lower surface 32 of the enclosure 30 includes atleast one selectively detachable contact pad 150 (FIGS. 3 and 4), whichsupports the enclosure 30 on the surface 20 in cooperation with thebrushes 60. The at least one contact pad 150 serves to temper the amountof contact each brush 60 has with the surface 30 to regulate the speedthat the brushes 60 move the device 10 along the surface 20. As eachcontact pad 150 wears or becomes fouled, it may be replaced with a newcontact pad 150 by removing mechanical fasteners (not shown), or thelike, that hold each contact pad 150 to the lower surface 32 of theenclosure 30.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a rack 160 that may be included for storing thedevice 10 when not in use. Such a rack 160 may include a hookarrangement 165 for suspending the rack 160 and the device 10 from anobject (not shown), such as a fence or the like.

In one embodiment, the lower side 32 of the enclosure 30 furtherincludes a plurality of sensors 170 (FIG. 3) for detecting an edge 29 ofthe surface 20. The circuit 110 is electrically connected with eachsensor 170 and adapted to run at least one of the plurality of motors 40in an opposing direction upon detection of the edge 29 of the surface20. For example, each sensor 170 may be a capacitive or inductive sensorthat detects the edge of the metallic barbeque grill 25. The circuit 110may induce a charge or other signal into the barbeque grill 25 throughthe brass brushes 60, facilitating detection of the edge 29 of the grill25. As such, the circuit 110 may be electrically connected with one ormore of the brushes 60. Other sensors 170 may be utilized as well, suchas optical or ultrasonic sensors, or the like, as are suitable fordetecting such an edge 29.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, three motors and brushes are shown in the drawings, but anyother suitable number of motors and brushes could be used, as could anysuitable orientation thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended that theinvention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but alsoall equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned inthis disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachingsof the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, notnecessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of thevarious embodiments described above can be combined to provide furtherembodiments.

All of the above patents and applications and other references,including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, areincorporated herein by reference.

Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ thesystems, functions, and concepts of the various references describedabove to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “DetailedDescription.” While the above description details certain embodiments ofthe invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter howdetailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced inmany ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably whilestill being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As notedabove, particular terminology used when describing certain features oraspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specificcharacteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which thatterminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventorreserves the right to add additional claims after filing the applicationto pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for cleaning a surface of a grill,comprising: an enclosure having at least a lower side, an upper side,and a peripheral edge; a plurality of motors each contained within theenclosure, each motor of the plurality of motors having a rotationalshaft fixed with a rotatable brush, each rotatable brush having aplurality of bristles radially projecting from a rotational axisthereof, at least a portion of the bristles of each brush projectingbelow a plane of the lower side of the enclosure, the bristles beingmade of material capable of withstanding heat emanating from the surfaceof the grill for cleaning the surface of the grill after the grill hasjust been used, wherein the brushes simultaneously serve as the cleaningand motive force for the device when the brushes are rotated by themotors; and a circuit adapted for connecting power from the power sourceto each of the motors for a preset period of time upon actuation of anelectrical switch connected thereto, the circuit adapted to run eachmotor of the plurality of motors in a first direction and then anopposing direction, respectively; whereby with the enclosure placed uponthe surface of the grill and the switch actuated, the circuit runs eachmotor in the first direction and then alternatively in the opposingdirection, such that the brushes simultaneously support and move thedevice along the surface of the grill and clean the surface of thegrill, the enclosure if becoming stuck at an obstruction eventuallyturning around due to the alternating directions of the motors.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bristles include metal forcleaning the surface of the grill.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein therotational axis of each brush is substantially parallel to the lowerside of the enclosure, and wherein the rotational shaft of each motor issubstantially parallel to the lower side of the enclosure.
 4. The deviceof claim 1, wherein each brush is selectively attachable to therotational shaft of any of the plurality of motors.
 5. The device ofclaim 1, wherein each rotatable brush is oriented at a substantiallysame angle greater than zero degrees from each adjacent brush such thateach rotatable brush is configured to move in a direction different fromany other rotatable brush.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein theenclosure is made from a heat-resistant plastic material.
 7. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the circuit further includes an indicator forindicating one of a plurality of program times, whereby multipleactuations of the switch advance the preset period of time from oneprogram time to the next, the indicator indicating a currently-selectedprogram time and the circuit running the motors back and forth for thecurrently-selected program time.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein thecircuit is adapted to change the direction of any of the plurality ofmotors independently of the direction of the other motors.
 9. The deviceof claim 8, wherein the circuit further includes a random numbergenerator, whereby the direction of any of the plurality of motors maybe changed in a substantially random manner.
 10. The device of claim 1,wherein the plurality of motors with brushes is an odd number, andwherein each brush is capable of moving the enclosure in a directiondifferent from any of the other brushes.
 11. The device of claim 1,wherein the plurality of motors with brushes is exactly three, andwherein each brush is oriented at a relative angle of substantially 60degrees from each other brush, such that each brush then rotated by itsrespective motor is capable of moving the device in a directiondifferent from the other brushes.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein theperipheral edge of the enclosure is adapted to absorb kinetic energy ofthe device upon contacting an obstruction, whereby upon the nextdirectional change of one or more of the motors the device moves awayfrom the obstruction.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the brushesprovide the entire motive force for the device when the brushes arerotated by the motors as the device does not include wheels.
 14. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bristles includes brass,wherein the surface of the grill includes a plurality of spaced apartbarbeque grill rods, each barbeque grill rod having a top surface andside surfaces, and wherein the bristles are adapted to clean the topsurface of said each barbeque grill rod and at least a portion of theside surfaces of each said barbeque grill rod.
 15. The device of claim1, wherein: the plurality of bristles includes metal for cleaning thesurface of the grill; the brushes provide the entire motive force forthe device when the brushes are rotated by the motors; the enclosure ismade from a heat-resistant plastic material comprising high-temperaturepolyurethane; and each rotatable brush is configured to move in adirection different from any other rotatable brush.
 16. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the power source includes at least one rechargeablebattery, and wherein a charging port is electrically connected with theat least one rechargeable battery and fixed through the enclosure,whereby an external power source may be used to charge the at least onerechargeable battery.
 17. A device for cleaning a surface of a grill,comprising: an enclosure having at least a lower side, an upper side,and a peripheral edge; a plurality of motors each contained within theenclosure, each motor having a rotational shaft fixed with a rotatablebrush, each rotatable brush having a plurality of bristles radiallyprojecting from a rotational axis thereof, at least a portion of thebristles of each brush projecting below a plane of the lower side of theenclosure, the bristles capable of withstanding heat emanating from thesurface of the grill for cleaning the surface of the grill after thegrill has just been used, wherein the brushes provide the only motiveforce for the device when the brushes are rotated by the motors; and acircuit adapted for connecting power from a power source to each of themotors for a preset period of time upon actuation of an electricalswitch connected thereto, the circuit adapted to run each motor in afirst direction and then an opposing direction, respectively, thecircuit including an indicator for indicating one of a plurality ofprogram times; wherein multiple actuations of the switch advance thepreset period of time from one program time to the next, the indicatorindicating a currently-selected program time and the circuit running themotors back and forth for the currently-selected program time; wherebywith the enclosure placed upon the surface and the switch actuated, thecircuit runs each motor in the first direction and then alternately inthe opposing direction, such that the brushes simultaneously support andmove the device along the surface and clean the surface, the enclosureif becoming stuck at an obstruction eventually turning around due to thealternating directions of the motors.
 18. The device of claim 17,wherein: the plurality of bristles include metal for cleaning thesurface of the grill; each rotatable brush is configured to move in adirection different from any other rotatable brush; and the brushessimultaneously serve as the cleaning and motive force for the devicewhen the brushes are rotated by the motors.
 19. A device forautomatically cleaning a surface of a barbeque grill including aplurality of barbeque grill rods having top and side surfaces, thedevice comprising: an enclosure made from a heat-resistant materialcapable of withstanding heat of a barbeque grill that has just beenused; a plurality of motors within the enclosure, each said motor havinga rotational shaft fixed with a rotatable brush, each rotatable brushhaving a plurality of bristles radially projecting from a rotationalaxis thereof, the bristles being made of material capable ofwithstanding heat emanating from the surface of the grill for cleaningthe surface of the grill after the grill has just been used, wherein thebrushes provide the sole motive force for the device when the brushesare rotated by the motors, wherein at least a portion of the bristlesproject sufficiently below the lower side of the enclosure to extendbelow the top surfaces of the barbeque grill rods and into the spacesseparating adjacent pairs of the barbeque grill rods the thereby besuitable for cleaning the top surfaces and at least a portion of theside surfaces of the barbeque grill rods; and a circuit adapted forconnecting power from a power source to each of the motors for a presetperiod of time upon actuation of an electrical switch connected thereto,the circuit adapted to run each motor of the plurality of motors in afirst direction and then an opposing direction, respectively, and tochange the direction of any of the plurality of motors independently ofthe direction of the other motors in a substantially random manner;whereby with the enclosure placed upon the surface of the barbeque grilland the switch actuated, the circuit runs each motor in the firstdirection and then alternately in the opposing direction, such that thebrushes simultaneously support and move the device along the surface ofthe barbeque grill and clean the surface of the barbeque grill, theenclosure if becoming stuck at an obstruction eventually turning arounddue to the alternating directions of the motors.
 20. The device of claim19, wherein: the plurality of bristles include metal for cleaning thesurface of the grill; each rotatable brush is configured to move in adirection different from any other rotatable brush; and the brushessimultaneously serve as the cleaning and motive force for the devicewhen the brushes are rotated by the motors.